Sharp’s History of Solar Business

Vision

To create enough energy for all people to use smartly, while preserving nature, enabling more fulfilling lives, and contributing to society on a global scale.

Energy is essential for industry and people’s lives.
However, this energy that we need to ensure fulfilling lives means that we must deal with the issue of environmental destruction.
By harnessing earth-friendly power from the sun and facilitating the smart use of this power, Sharp’s solar business contributes to society globally.
The growth in industries and markets utilizing renewable energy continues to gather momentum.

Tokuji Hayakawa

Sharp's founder, the man with the solar vision.

“If we could find a way of generating electricity from limitless solar heat and light, that would benefit humankind to an extent we can scarcely imagine.”
-- Tokuji Hayakawa, founder of Sharp Corporation

“I believe the biggest issue for the future is the accumulation and storage of solar heat and light. While all living things enjoy the blessings of the sun, we have to rely on electricity from power stations. With magnificent heat and light streaming down on us, we must think of ways of using that blessing. This is where solar cells come in…”
“We cannot store the wind, but we can store heat and light. We should think of ways to convert heat and light to electricity and accumulate it simply and cheaply in storage batteries. For example, if we can install solar systems on roofs, homes could be self-sufficient in power. And if we attached such systems to the roofs of cars, we could eliminate our reliance on gasoline and eliminate emissions.”
“If we could find a way of generating electricity from limitless solar heat and light, that would benefit humankind to an extent we can scarcely imagine.”

From the autobiography of Tokuji Hayakawa (1970)